Chapter 31: A Life of Over Two Hundred Years
Sakonji Urokodaki had said that the only thing that could turn someone into a demon was Muzan Kibutsuji's blood.
So how did Tamayo manage to transform Yushiro into a demon?
Hakuya was puzzled and curious.
Tamayo shook her head. "Muzan's blood can indeed transform people into demons, and his elite subordinates—the Twelve Kizuki—also possess this ability. However, the Twelve Kizuki can only transform people using the blood that Muzan injected into their own bodies. Essentially, it's always Muzan's blood that's responsible for the transformation."
"I was transformed into a demon by Muzan, so I also carry his blood within me. But to stop myself from craving human flesh, I modified my own body long ago to weaken the effects of Muzan's blood, thus completely freeing myself from his curse and control."
"Because of this weakening, it took me over two hundred years to successfully transform Yushiro into a demon."
Hakuya understood the logic behind Tamayo's explanation.
It was as if Muzan had immense demonic power in his body, which he distributed to his twelve elite subordinates, who could then share portions with others.
The more of Muzan's blood one possessed, the greater their initial power. Meanwhile, lesser demons like those on Mount Fujikasane apparently only received diluted versions of his blood.
Because demons had unlimited potential for growth through consuming humans, the difference between concentrated and diluted blood mainly affected their initial strength and growth rate.
Perhaps, if a demon consumed enough humans, they could even challenge Muzan Kibutsuji for the title of Demon King. After all, it had taken Muzan over a thousand years to reach his current level, and he must have devoured countless humans during that time.
The existence of the Demon Slayer Corps had significantly limited the growth potential of weaker demons.
Furthermore, Hakuya gleaned other interesting details from Tamayo's words.
The Twelve Kizuki—literally meaning "Twelve Demon Moons"—must be the title of Muzan Kibutsuji's elite subordinates, with the number twelve representing exactly that many demons.
Since Tamayo knew all this, could it be that she was once a member of the Twelve Kizuki herself?
Upon hearing that it took Tamayo over two hundred years to transform Yushiro into a demon, Tanjiro was so shocked he could barely speak coherently.
"Two hundred years! It took over two hundred years to transform just Yushiro! So, how old are you now, Miss Tamayo?" Tanjiro asked, clutching his head as he spoke, his voice growing increasingly agitated.
Hearing Tanjiro's outburst, Hakuya suddenly considered Tamayo's actual age.
If demons could truly live that long, how old would Tamayo be now?
Thinking this, Hakuya carefully examined the beautiful, mature woman before him.
Looking at her, Hakuya couldn't help but think, "As expected—when it comes to beauty, age is completely irrelevant."
Yushiro, hearing Tanjiro's question, suddenly stood up and punched Tanjiro in the stomach.
"Don't casually ask a woman's age—it's extremely rude! You shameless fool!"
Yushiro shouted indignantly, then jabbed Tanjiro's stomach several more times with sharp strikes.
Tanjiro immediately started coughing from the blows.
"Yushiro! If you use violence again, I will not forgive you!" Tamayo scolded him like a stern mother.
"Yes, Lady Tamayo!"
Yushiro immediately suppressed his anger and sat back down properly. When he looked at the somewhat displeased Tamayo, he couldn't help thinking, "Lady Tamayo is so beautiful even when she's angry~"
"Then why did you transform Yushiro into a demon? Is Yushiro your son?" Hakuya asked Tamayo.
Tanjiro also wondered about this question. He wanted to know why Tamayo had turned Yushiro into a demon.
Tamayo shook her head and explained to Hakuya, "Yushiro is not my son, and I don't wish to increase the number of demons. I only offer this to those with terminal illnesses or fatal injuries who have little time left."
"And I always ask the person beforehand if they want to continue living as a demon. Yushiro was one such individual."
After Tamayo finished speaking, Tanjiro closed his eyes and sniffed carefully.
Detecting no trace of deception from Tamayo, Tanjiro leaned close to Hakuya's ear and whispered, "Hakuya-senpai, Miss Tamayo isn't a bad person. Her words are completely trustworthy."
Hakuya nodded, indicating he understood.
"Miss Tamayo, I want to ask you—is there any way to turn someone who has become a demon back into a human?" Hakuya then asked the question that truly mattered.
Hakuya asked this because Tamayo knew so much and might have crucial information.
After all, this was related to Hakuya's core objective.
Hearing this, Tamayo looked at Nezuko lying between Hakuya and Tanjiro. "You want to turn that girl back into a human, don't you? She looks very unique. Can you tell me about her?"
Tanjiro nodded at Tamayo. "She's my sister. She was turned into a demon by Muzan Kibutsuji two years ago."
Tanjiro then told Tamayo about Nezuko's situation. Upon learning that Nezuko hadn't consumed any human flesh since becoming a demon, Tamayo was genuinely surprised.
"Normally, someone who hasn't consumed human flesh for such a long time would undoubtedly become ferocious and lose all reason. Surprisingly, Miss Nezuko hasn't shown any such symptoms. Perhaps the two years of slumber caused unknown changes in her body, resulting in an extremely rare condition. This miracle will surely be the key to returning Nezuko to human form."
Tanjiro felt a surge of hope as Tamayo spoke.
"Besides observing Nezuko, I've been researching a method to transform demons back into humans. If you're willing to assist me, I have two requests."
"First, please allow me to collect blood samples from your sister for research."
"Second, please collect blood from demons with high concentrations of Muzan's blood."
Only then did Tamayo reveal her true purpose to Hakuya and Tanjiro.
Tamayo was no longer in a position to accomplish the second task on her own, and instinctively, she felt that Hakuya and Tanjiro might be key to changing everything.
"The second request will be extremely dangerous. The demons with the strongest concentrations of Muzan's blood are his elite subordinates—the Twelve Kizuki."
"It won't be easy to obtain blood from those demons. But will you still agree to help me?"
Tamayo's gentle voice conveyed both care and hope.
Hakuya considered the request carefully. Collecting blood from the Twelve Kizuki would mean confronting Muzan's most powerful subordinates directly.
But this aligned perfectly with his goals. If Tamayo could develop a cure, not only Nezuko but countless other victims could be saved.
Hakuya took another closer look at Tamayo. Despite being a demon, she was an exceptionally attractive, mature woman.
Her appearance was refined and beautiful, and her figure was quite striking as well.
Hakuya quickly cleared his mind of distracting thoughts and responded with unwavering determination.
"Miss Tamayo, I'll collect every blood sample you need," Hakuya said firmly.
"I'll work with Hakuya-senpai on this! If Miss Tamayo can develop an effective medicine, then not only Nezuko but many more innocent people who've become demons can be saved!" Tanjiro also gave Tamayo his wholehearted agreement.
Hearing Tanjiro's compassionate words, Tamayo was momentarily stunned. Then a relieved smile spread across her face. "Yes... to help more people find salvation."
Tamayo's gentle smile reminded Tanjiro of his own mother, and he blushed slightly.
Yushiro, noticing Tanjiro's sudden blush, assumed he'd also fallen for Tamayo. He quickly moved closer, glaring at Tanjiro suspiciously.
Tanjiro, startled, straightened up immediately, afraid to provoke Yushiro further.
Yushiro's expression hardened as he positioned himself protectively near Tamayo.
"Get down!"
As soon as he finished speaking, two temari balls shot through the living room wall and began ricocheting violently around the room.
The balls smashed everything in the living room with devastating force.
Instantly, the lights went out, plunging the area into darkness.
Following Yushiro's warning, Tanjiro had already thrown himself over Nezuko to protect her.
As for Hakuya, he'd already drawn his Nichirin blade.
"Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide!"
Without hesitation, Hakuya launched a counterattack with the Fourth Form, his blade cutting through the darkness.
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